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<p>The Department believes it will be crucial that new claims are made to Universal
Credit because we need to ensure data is as accurate and as up-to-date as possible
when claimants move to Universal Credit. This will ensure that any errors will not
be migrated from the existing benefit system to Universal Credit. In addition, as
Universal Credit replaces legacy six different existing benefits, the Department may
not have sufficient information to determine the full Universal Credit entitlement
because some of this information is not available from the existing benefit data.
For example, no information on capital or other benefits received is held in respect
of tax credit claims.</p><p>Universal Credit is a different regime so the Department
cannot simply assume that all existing claimants will want to make a claim, some form
of consent from each claimant would be required. Requiring a claim to be made will
provide that and it will be important that claimants understand the new Universal
Credit regime into which they are moving and the corresponding responsibilities this
will bring. This is especially important for vulnerable groups.”</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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